Instructions: Put the 1/2 cup warm water, yeast, and 1 teaspoon sugar in a large mixing bowl. Stir to blend and let stand for 5 minutes to dissolve the yeast.

Add the 1 cup warm water, butter, 1/3 cup sugar, salt, egg, and 1 cup flour. Beat the mixture vigorously until smooth. Add the remaining 2 cups flour and beat again until smooth. Add the dried fruit.

Pour the batter into a greased 9 x 5 x 3 -inch pan or two 5 x 3 x 3-inch pans, loosely cover with plastic wrap, and let stand until doubled in bulk or until risen to the top of the pan.

Preheat the oven to 375F. Bake the bread for 35 minutes if you are baking two small loaves; or 45 minutes if baking one large loaf. Remove from the oven, turn out of the pan, and cool on a rack.

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